System and method for dynamically transmitting network alert system (NAS) information from television network to stations using information embedded in an HDTV signal

ABSTRACT

A system for dynamically transmitting network alert system (NAS) information from a television network to an affiliate station using information embedded in an HDTV signal includes a program data server configured to provide network alert system (NAS) data, a network video programming source configured to provide network video programming, a data inserter configured to insert the NAS data into vertical ancillary (VANC) space of a high definition television (HDTV) signal to develop a combined network video programming and NAS data signal, and a transmission facility configured to transmit the combined network video programming and NAS data signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/036,538, filed on Mar. 14, 2008, entitled“Transmission Of Program System Information From Television Network ToStations Using Information Embedded In An HDTV Signal,” the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated into this document bereference; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/074,255, filed onJun. 20, 2008, entitled “Network Alert System (NAS) Information andAffiliate Communication Services (ACS) Transmissions From ABC TV NetworkTo ABC Stations Using Information Embedded In The HDTV Signal,” theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated into this document bereference; and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/355,920, filed on Jan. 19, 2009, entitled “System And Method ForDynamically Transmitting Program System Information From TelevisionNetwork To Stations Using Information Embedded In An HDTV Signal,” theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated into this document byreference.

BACKGROUND

A television network typically provides programming to a large number ofstations, sometimes referred to as “affiliates’ or “affiliate stations.”In addition to the actual programming, additional information relatingto updates and changes to the programming schedule, and/or changes tothe transmission infrastructure are also sent to the affiliate stations.These changes are typically communicated to the affiliate stations inwhat are referred to as Network Alert System (NAS) messages. Typically,an NAS message contains one or more descriptions of pending changes ofwhich stations need to be aware. These changes include, for example, anews report special, a late-breaking event, or other programmingchanges. NAS messages are also used to communicate infrastructure ornetwork transmission changes, such as having the affiliate station tunetheir receive feed to a new or different satellite station or service,etc. NAS messages are typically provided to a master control facilityassociated with the affiliate station. In standard TV transmissionsystems (i.e., those that broadcast using the analog NTSC system), NASmessages are carried as part of the analog video signal.

Current programming technology dictates that over-the-air programmingsent from a network to an affiliate station be provided in what isreferred to as a “digital” format, sometimes referred to as digitaltelevision (DTV). Included in a digital format may be high definitionprogramming, referred to as high definition television (HDTV).Unfortunately, there is no current solution for transmission of NASmessages in a DTV or HDTV format.

Therefore, there is a need for a way of efficiently and easilydelivering NAS messages to an affiliate station using a DTV or HDTVformat.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention include a system for dynamicallytransmitting network alert system (NAS) information from a televisionnetwork to an affiliate station using information embedded in an HDTVsignal comprising a program data server configured to provide networkalert system (NAS) data, a network video programming source configuredto provide network video programming, a data inserter configured toinsert the NAS data into vertical ancillary (VANC) space of a highdefinition television (HDTV) signal to develop a combined network videoprogramming and NAS data signal, and a transmission facility configuredto transmit the combined network video programming and NAS data signal.

Other embodiments are also provided. Other systems, methods, features,and advantages of the invention will be or become apparent to one withskill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detaileddescription. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods,features, and advantages be included within this description, be withinthe scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingfigures. The components within the figures are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principlesof the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system fortransmitting network alert system information from a television networkto an affiliate station using information embedded in an HDTV signal.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of asystem for transmitting network alert system information from atelevision network to an affiliate station using information embedded inan HDTV signal.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the VANC NASdata inserter of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the network VANCreceiver of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the NAS receiverof FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart describing the operation of an embodiment of theVANC NAS data inserter of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart describing the operation of an embodiment of thenetwork VANC receiver of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing the operation of an embodiment of theNAS receiver of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The system and method for dynamically transmitting network alert system(NAS) information from a television network to an affiliate stationusing information embedded in an HDTV signal can be implemented in anydigital television delivery system that transmits a high-definition (HD)television signal. The structure of the HD television signal can be usedto transmit additional information, sometimes referred to ancillarydata. In an embodiment, the HD television signal is used to transmitnetwork alert system (NAS) information along with the digitallytransmitted TV signal.

The system and method for dynamically transmitting network alert systeminformation from a television network to an affiliate station usinginformation embedded in an HDTV signal can be implemented in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software. When implemented inhardware, the system and method for dynamically transmitting networkalert system information from a television network to an affiliatestation using information embedded in an HDTV signal can be implementedusing specialized hardware elements and logic. When the system andmethod for dynamically transmitting network alert system informationfrom a television network to an affiliate station using informationembedded in an HDTV signal is implemented in software, the software canbe used to control the various components in a system and networkassociated with the program. The software can be stored in a memory andexecuted by a suitable instruction execution system (microprocessor).The hardware implementation of the system and method for dynamicallytransmitting network alert system information from a television networkto an affiliate station using information embedded in an HDTV signal caninclude any or a combination of the following technologies, which areall well known in the art: discrete electronic components, a discretelogic circuit(s) having logic gates for implementing logic functionsupon data signals, an application specific integrated circuit havingappropriate logic gates, a programmable gate array(s) (PGA), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), etc.

The software for the system and method for dynamically transmittingnetwork alert system information from a television network to anaffiliate station using information embedded in an HDTV signal comprisesan ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logicalfunctions, and can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for useby or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, orother system that can fetch the instructions from the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions.

In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be anymeans that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport theprogram for use by or in connection with the instruction executionsystem, apparatus, or device. The computer-readable medium can be, forexample but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device,or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) ofthe computer-readable medium would include the following: a portablecomputer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM), a read-onlymemory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory) (magnetic), an optical fiber (optical), and a portable compactdisc read-only memory (CDROM) (optical). Note that the computer-readablemedium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which theprogram is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, viafor instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, thencompiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner ifnecessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system 100that can implement the system for dynamically transmitting network alertsystem information from a television network to an affiliate stationusing information embedded in an HDTV signal. The system 100 includes atelevision network 102, a transmission system including a satellitecommunication uplink station 118, a communication satellite 122, asatellite communication downlink station 124 and an affiliate station132. Details of the transmission system, including the satellitecommunication uplink station 118, the communication satellite 122, andthe satellite communication downlink station 124, which can be capableof bi-directional communication, are not described herein as they areknown to those skilled in the art. Further, other transmission systems,such as, for example, terrestrial transmission systems, wired orwireless transmission systems, or other transmission systems, can beimplemented in the system for dynamically transmitting network alertsystem information from a television network to an affiliate stationusing information embedded in an HDTV signal.

The network 102 includes a network alert system (NAS) data server 104 inbidirectional communication with an authoring system 106 over connection108. The authoring system 106 facilitates the generation of a networkalert system (NAS) message. In an embodiment, the authoring system 106can be implemented as a computer or computer terminal at which anindividual creates a network alert message by, for example, manuallytyping the message. In other embodiments, the NAS message may be createdin other ways. The NAS message is provided to the NAS data server 104over connection 108. When completed, the authoring system 106 providesthe NAS message to the NAS data server 104 using what is referred to asa “push” system in which the NAS messages are automatically provided tothe NAS data server 104.

The network 102 also includes an interrupt signal generator 107. Theinterrupt signal generator 107 can be implemented as one or more simpleswitches that, when closed, establish a connection to the NAS dataserver 104 to enable what is referred to as a “general purposeinterrupt” (GPI). The GPI signal is provided to the NAS data server 104over connection 109. The GPI signal causes the NAS data server 104 togenerate a default message that is sent to the affiliate station 132.For example, the default message can include information such as,“Please standby—a special report is occurring now,” or the like. Such amessage can be triggered from various locations within the network 102and is shown as originating from the interrupt signal generator 107 forsimplicity.

The network alert system (NAS) data server 104 is also in bidirectionalcommunication through channel 112 with a VANC NAS data inserter 300. TheNAS data server 104 contains data relating to network alert systeminformation, such as an NAS message described above that is providedfrom the authoring system 106. The NAS data server 104 formats andtemporarily stores network alert system (NAS) messages.

The NAS message is transferred over a bidirectional communicationchannel 112 from the NAS data server 104 to a VANC NAS data inserter300. The VANC NAS data inserter 300 polls the NAS data server 104 todetermine whether a new NAS message is available. The communicationchannel 112 can be, for example, a local area network (LAN), or anyother communication network within the television network 102. In anembodiment, the VANC NAS data inserter 300 is a communication elementthat can insert ancillary data into the vertical ancillary (VANC) spaceof a high-definition television (HDTV) video signal. The insertion ofinformation into the vertical ancillary space of an HDTV signal isdescribed in SMPTE (The Society Of Motion Picture And TelevisionEngineers) standard 334M-200 entitled “Vertical Ancillary Data Mappingfor Bit-Serial Interface,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

The VANC NAS data inserter 300 also receives network video sourceprogramming over connection 114 from a network video source 117. Inaccordance with an embodiment of the system for dynamically transmittingnetwork alert system information from a television network to anaffiliate station using information embedded in an HDTV signal, the VANCNAS data inserter 300 dynamically combines NAS message information datareceived from the NAS data server 104 over connection 112 with networkvideo programming supplied by the network video source 117 overconnection 114. This combined network video programming and NAS datasignal is sent over connection 116 to the satellite communication uplinkstation 118.

The satellite communication uplink station 118 transmits the combinednetwork video programming and NAS data signal via satellite 122 to thesatellite communication downlink station 124. The satellitecommunication downlink station 124 communicates the received combinednetwork video programming and NAS data signal over connection 126 to anetwork VANC receiver 400.

In addition to the network VANC receiver 400, the affiliate station 132includes an affiliate station management system 152, an affiliatestation master control system 154, a television station productionfacility 136 and a station digital television (DTV) encoder 138. Thenetwork VANC receiver 400 separates the network video programming signalfrom the NAS data, as will be described below. The network videoprogramming is provided over connection 142 to the television stationproduction facility 136. The NAS data is provided over connection 144 tothe affiliate station management system 152 and to the affiliate stationmaster control system 154. The connections 142 and 144 can be a localarea network (LAN), or any other communication channel or communicationbus within the affiliate station 132.

In an embodiment, the NAS data on connection 144 is formatted by thenetwork VANC receiver 400 as XML/HTML data, with the network VANCreceiver 400 acting as a web server. In this manner, through a typicalInternet Protocol (IP) connection, the NAS messages may be viewed anddisplayed remotely.

The affiliate station management system 152 can be implemented as asingle or distributed computer system over which station operation andNAS message information is provided to the management personnel of theaffiliate station 132. Affiliate station management personnel use theNAS messages for information gathering, and to be aware of late breakingnetwork changes.

The affiliate station master control system 154 can be implemented as asingle or distributed computer system that manages the programming ofthe affiliate station 132. For example, NAS message information isprovided to the affiliate station master control system 154 so that theaffiliate station master control system 154 can provide accurate andcurrent programming. It is desirable for operators of the affiliatestation master control system 154 to see the messages immediately, asprogramming changes can affect the station's output signal.

The NAS data on connection 144 is used by the affiliate station mastercontrol system 154 to provide updated and current programminginformation so that the affiliate station 132 is always current on itsprogramming. The television station production facility 136 generatesthe station video signal over connection 146 which is also provided tothe station DTV encoder 138.

The station DTV encoder 138 provides the station video signal overconnection 156 to a transmission facility 162. In an embodiment, thetransmission facility 162 can be, for example, an over-the-air broadcastfacility that wirelessly transmits the affiliate station televisionsignal to television receivers. Alternatively, the transmission facility162 can be a cable television (CATV) broadcast facility that transmitsthe affiliate station television signal over a cable, or other wired orwireless, distribution system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of asystem 200 that can implement the system for dynamically transmittingnetwork alert system information from a television network to anaffiliate station using information embedded in an HDTV signal. Certainelements in the embodiment 200 are similar to the corresponding elementsin the system 100, and will not again be described in detail. Forexample, the elements in the network 102, and the transmission systemincluding the satellite communication uplink station 118, the satellite122 and the satellite communication downlink station 124 are similar tothat described above and the description thereof will not be repeated.

With regard to the system 200, the satellite communication downlinkstation 124 communicates the received combined network video programmingand NAS data signal over connection 126 to a network alert system (NAS)receiver 450. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the NAS receiver 450 isused in conjunction with or in place of the network VANC receiver 400 toreceive and provide the NAS message information to the affiliate station132.

In addition to the NAS receiver 450, the affiliate station 132 includesan affiliate station management system 152, an affiliate station mastercontrol system 154, a television station production facility 136, astation digital television (DTV) encoder 138, a video display 206 and anNAS printer 208.

The video display 206 can display received NAS message information on avideo monitor as discrete NAS messages, or as NAS messages overlaid onother video programming. Because it is desirable that an operator of theaffiliate station master control system 154 see the NAS messagesimmediately, this video overlay is typically displayed in the monitorwall of the master control area, visible to all operators.

The NAS printer 208 can provide printed NAS messages. In the instancewhere an operator of the affiliate station master control system 154 isout of the room, or otherwise occupied, the NAS message willautomatically print, allowing the operator to view the message uponreturn.

The NAS receiver 450 separates the network video programming signal fromthe NAS data, as will be described below. The network video programmingis provided over connection 142 to the television station productionfacility 136. The NAS data is provided over connection 144 to theaffiliate station management system 152 and to the affiliate stationmaster control system 154, over connection 202 to the NAS printer 208and over connection 204 to the video display 206. The connections 142,144, 202 and 204 can be a local area network (LAN), or any othercommunication channel or communication bus within the affiliate station132.

The affiliate station management system 152 can be implemented as asingle or distributed computer system over which station operation andNAS message information is provided to the management personnel of theaffiliate station 132. Affiliate station management personnel use theNAS messages for information gathering, and to be aware of late breakingnetwork changes.

The affiliate station master control system 154 can be implemented as asingle or distributed computer system that manages the programming ofthe affiliate station 132. For example, NAS message information isprovided to the affiliate station master control system 154 so that theaffiliate station master control system 154 can provide accurate andcurrent programming. Operators of the affiliate station master controlsystem 154 typically need to see the messages immediately, asprogramming changes can affect the station's output signal.

The NAS data on connection 144 is used by the affiliate station mastercontrol system 154 to provide updated and current programminginformation so that the affiliate station 132 is always current on itsprogramming. The television station production facility 136 generatesthe station video signal over connection 146 which is also provided tothe station DTV encoder 138.

The station DTV encoder 138 provides the station video signal overconnection 156 to a transmission facility 162. In an embodiment, thetransmission facility 162 can be, for example, and over-the-airbroadcast facility that wirelessly transmits the affiliate stationtelevision signal to television receivers. Alternatively, thetransmission facility 162 can be a cable television (CATV) broadcastfacility that transmits the affiliate station television signal over acable, or other wired or wireless, distribution system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the VANC NASdata inserter of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The VANC NAS data inserter 300includes a data formatter 310 and a multiplexer 320.

The data formatter 310 comprises a network alert system (NAS) messagepoll module 312, a header packetizer 316 and a data parser/NASidentification element 322. The data formatter 310 dynamically receivesthe most updated, recent and relevant NAS data having the latest alertinformation from the NAS data server 104 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) overconnection 112.

The NAS message poll module 312 is a service that polls particularaddresses of the NAS data server 104 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) for NASmessages. In an embodiment, the NAS message poll module 312 polls theInternet Protocol (IP) address of the NAS data server 104 for NASmessages. The output of the NAS message poll module 312 is an ASCII textfile provided over connection 314 to the header packetizer 316. TheASCII text file includes a timestamp that is used by the headerpacketizer 316 to identify the NAS message.

The header packetizer 316 creates an NAS message header and formats theNAS message into 60 frame per second packets so that it may fit withinthe framework of the digital video distribution path. Messages that arelonger than 60 frames are divided to fit within this framework andspread across multiple video frames.

The data parser/NAS identification element 322 receives the headerpackets over connection 318, parses the data and adds a unique NASidentifier. A timestamp associated with the ASCII text of the message isused in creating a unique identifier that identifies the message fordistribution and reception at the affiliate station 132. This uniqueidentifier also separates the NAS message data from any other data thatmay use the distribution path downstream. The output of the dataformatter is provided over connection 324 to the multiplexer 320.

The multiplexer 320 receives at a first input the network videoprogramming signal over connection 114 (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) and receivesat a second input the formatted NAS data on connection 324. In anembodiment, the multiplexer 320 inserts the formatted NAS data signalinto video line 12 using the data ID (DID) 0x53, and using the secondarydata ID (SDID) 0x01, as per SMPTE 334M-200 guidelines for the insertionof user-defined data into an HDTV signal. Alternatively, other lines inthe video stream can be used to insert the NAS data signal into thevideo signal, as provided by SMPTE 334M-200 guidelines.

In an embodiment, the multiplexer 320 also parses the NAS data such thatit will not overflow the data buffers (not shown) used for satellitetransmission. In an embodiment, the multiplexer 320 parses the NAS data,combines the NAS data with any other unique data that may be travelingon this path, and typically limits the NAS data transmission to lessthan approximately 75 bytes per video frame. The output of themultiplexer 320 is the combined network video programming and NAS datasignal on connection 116.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the network VANCreceiver of FIG. 1. The network VANC receiver 400 includes ademultiplexer 410 and a data formatter 420. The received combinednetwork video programming and NAS data signal is received overconnection 126 by the demultiplexer 410. The demultiplexer 410 extractsthe NAS data signal from video line 12, DID 0x53, SDID 0x01, or fromwhatever location the NAS data was inserted by the multiplexer 320 (FIG.3), and provides the extracted NAS data over connection 412 to a dataformatter 420. The demultiplexer 410 also provides the network videoprogram signal over connection 142, as described above.

The data formatter 420 comprises an NAS data ASCII text reassembler 422,a text data to NAS message reassembler 426 and an NAS message postelement 432. The NAS data ASCII text reassembler 422 receives thedemultiplexed VANC data from the demultiplexer 410 and reassembles theVANC data into ASCII text data.

The output of the NAS data ASCII text reassembler 422 is provided overconnection 424 to the text data to NAS message reassembler 426. The textdata to NAS message reassembler 426 reassembles the ASCII text data intoa complete NAS message. Because the NAS message was broken up and spreadacross video frames by the header packetizer 316 (FIG. 3), the text datato NAS message reassembler 426 re-creates the original, cohesivemessage.

The NAS message over connection 428 is received by the NAS message postelement 432, which posts the NAS message in XML/HTML format to aninternal web server (not shown). In this manner, the NAS message isavailable for retrieval from remote locations via a LAN connection, suchas connection 144. The data formatter 420 also provides the NAS messagedata over connection 144, as described above.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the NAS receiverof FIG. 2. The NAS receiver 450 includes a demultiplexer 460 and a dataformatter 470. The received combined network video programming and NASdata signal is received over connection 126 by the demultiplexer 460.The demultiplexer 460 extracts the NAS data signal from video line 12,DID 0x53, SDID 0x01, or from whatever location the NAS data was insertedby the multiplexer 320 (FIG. 3), and provides the extracted NAS dataover connection 462 to a data formatter 470. The demultiplexer 460 alsoprovides the network video program signal over connection 142, asdescribed above.

The data formatter 470 comprises an NAS data ASCII text reassembler 472,a text data to NAS message reassembler 476 and an NAS message postelement 482. The NAS data ASCII text reassembler 472 receives thedemultiplexed NAS data from the demultiplexer 460 and reassembles theNAS data into ASCII text data.

The output of the NAS data ASCII text reassembler 472 is provided overconnection 474 to the text data to NAS message reassembler 476. The textdata to NAS message reassembler 476 reassembles the ASCII text data intoa complete NAS message. Because the NAS message was broken up and spreadacross video frames by the header packetizer 316 (FIG. 3), the text datato NAS message reassembler 476 re-creates the original, cohesivemessage.

The NAS message over connection 478 is received by the NAS message postelement 482, which posts the NAS message in XML/HTML format to aninternal web server (not shown). In this manner, the NAS message isavailable for retrieval from remote locations via a LAN connection, suchas connection 144. The NAS message post element 482 also provides anoutput over connection 202 so that the NAS messages can be sent to anNAS printer 208 (FIG. 2).

The NAS message post element 482 also provides an output over connection484 to a message decoder and video overlay element 486. The messagedecoder and video overlay element 486 provides a signal over connection204 that includes the NAS message overlaid on a video signal for displayby the video display element 206 (FIG. 2). The data formatter 420 alsoprovides the NAS message data over connection 144, as described above.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart 600 describing the operation of an embodiment ofthe VANC NAS data inserter 300 of FIG. 3. In block 602 the most recentNAS data is dynamically supplied by the NAS data server 104 (FIG. 1;FIG. 2) to the VANC NAS data inserter 300. In an embodiment, the VANCNAS data inserter 300 polls the IP address of the NAS data server 104 toobtain NAS message data. In block 604, the VANC NAS data inserter 300formats the supplied NAS message data. In block 606, the VANC NAS datainserter 300 inserts the supplied NAS message data into the verticalancillary (VANC) space of a high definition television (HDTV) videosignal. In block 608, the HDTV signal including the combined networkvideo programming and NAS data signal is transmitted to an affiliatestation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart 700 describing the operation of an embodiment ofthe network VANC receiver 400 of FIG. 4. In block 702, an HDTV signalincluding the combined network video programming and NAS message datasignal is received at an affiliate station 132 by the network VANCreceiver 400. The network video programming is provided over connection142 (FIG. 4) to the television station production facility 136 (FIG. 1).

In block 704 the most recent NAS message data is extracted from thevertical ancillary (VANC) space of an HDTV video signal by thedemultiplexer 410. In block 706, the NAS data to ASCII text reassembler422 reassembles the received NAS data into ASCII text. In block 708, thetext data to NAS message reassembler 426 reassembles the ASCII text datainto a complete NAS message. In block 712 the NAS message post element432 posts the NAS message as XML/HTML to a web server and makes the NASmessage available for retrieval. In block 714, personnel associated withthe affiliate station management system 152 can access the NAS messagefrom the web server.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 describing the operation of an embodiment ofthe NAS receiver 450 of FIG. 5. In block 802, an HDTV signal includingthe combined network video programming and NAS data signal is receivedat an affiliate station 132 by the NAS receiver 450. The network videoprogramming is provided over connection 142 (FIG. 5) to the televisionstation production facility 136 (FIG. 1).

In block 804 the most recent NAS data is extracted from the verticalancillary (VANC) space of an HDTV video signal by the demultiplexer 460.In block 806, the NAS data to ASCII text reassembler 472 reassembles thereceived NAS data into ASCII text. In block 808, the text data to NASmessage reassembler 476 reassembles the ASCII text data into an NASmessage. In block 812 the NAS message post element 482 posts the NASmessage as XML/HTML to a web server and makes the NAS message availablefor retrieval. In block 814, personnel associated with the affiliatestation management system 152 can access the NAS message from the webserver.

In block 816, the message decoder and video overlay element 486 decodesthe NAS message and provides a signal having the NAS message overlaid ona video signal. In block 818, the NAS message is displayed on a displaydevice. In block 822, the NAS message post element 482 provides the NASmessage to an NAS printer.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many moreembodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for dynamically transmitting ancillarydata from a television network to an affiliate station using informationembedded in an HDTV signal, comprising: a data server configured toprovide ancillary data; a network video programming source configured toprovide network video programming; a data inserter configured to insertthe ancillary data into video line 12, data ID (DID) 0x53, secondarydata ID (SDID) 0x01 of vertical ancillary (VANC) space of a highdefinition television (HDTV) signal to develop a combined network videoprogramming and ancillary data signal; and a transmission facilityconfigured to transmit the combined network video programming andancillary data signal.
 2. The system of claim 1, in which the datainserter further comprises: a data formatter configured to format theancillary data; and a multiplexer configured to combine the networkvideo programming and ancillary data to form the combined network videoprogramming and ancillary data signal.
 3. The system of claim 2, inwhich the ancillary data is chosen from network alert system (NAS) dataand program system information protocol (PSIP) data.
 4. The system ofclaim 3, in which the NAS data is used to provide updated alertinformation to an affiliate station.
 5. A system for dynamicallyreceiving ancillary data from a television network using informationembedded in an HDTV signal, comprising: a receiver configured to receivea combined network video programming and ancillary data signal, theancillary data signal carried in video line 12, data ID (DID) 0x53,secondary data ID (SDID) 0x01 of vertical ancillary (VANC) space of ahigh definition television (HDTV) signal, the receiver configured toextract the ancillary data signal and the network video programming; anda station master control system configured to receive the extractedancillary data signal.
 6. The system of claim 5, in which the receiverfurther comprises: a demultiplexer configured to extract the ancillarydata signal from the network video programming; and a data formatterconfigured to format the extracted ancillary data into an XML/HTMLformat.
 7. The system of claim 6, in which the ancillary data is chosenfrom network alert system (NAS) data and program system informationprotocol (PSIP) data.
 8. The system of claim 7, in which the NAS data isused to provide updated alert information to an affiliate station.
 9. Amethod for dynamically transmitting ancillary data from a televisionnetwork to an affiliate station using information embedded in an HDTVsignal, comprising: providing ancillary data; providing network videoprogramming; inserting the ancillary data into video line 12, data ID(DID) 0x53, secondary data ID (SDID) 0x01 of vertical ancillary (VANC)space of a high definition television (HDTV) signal to develop acombined network video programming and ancillary data signal; andtransmitting the combined network video programming and ancillary datasignal.
 10. The method of claim 9, in which the inserting furthercomprises: formatting the ancillary data; and combining the networkvideo programming and ancillary data.
 11. The method of claim 10, inwhich the ancillary data is chosen from network alert system (NAS) dataand program system information protocol (PSIP) data.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising providing updated alert information to anaffiliate station.
 13. The system of claim 3, in which the PSIP data isused to provide a dynamically updated electronic programming guide (EPG)having the latest, most recent and relevant PSIP data.
 14. The system ofclaim 7, in which the PSIP data is used to provide a dynamically updatedelectronic programming guide (EPG) having the latest, most recent andrelevant PSIP data.
 15. The system of claim 11, further comprisingproviding a dynamically updated electronic programming guide (EPG)having the latest, most recent and relevant PSIP data.
 16. A method fordynamically transmitting ancillary data from a television network to anaffiliate station using information embedded in an HDTV signal,comprising: combining network video programming and ancillary data intovideo line 12, data ID (DID) 0x53, secondary data ID (SDID) 0x01 ofvertical ancillary (VANC) space of a high definition television (HDTV)signal to develop a combined network video programming and ancillarydata signal; and transmitting the combined network video programming andancillary data signal.